Seaside Luxe Redefines Retail at Luxury Resorts

Lee Ann Sauter credits her big mouth and strong opinions for sweeping her off on a wild ride through the world of retail. "I was the girl who at 17 didn't know not to say things to executives and that worked really well in my favor of moving up the ladder quickly."

Indeed it did. Today, Lee Ann is the CEO of Seaside Luxe, a retail management firm specializing in the development and management of stores in luxury resorts around the world. In just three years, her clients have grown to include the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, the Four Seasons Resort Maui and Terranea Resort and Spa in Palos Verdes.

Having spent 20 years in retail, Lee Ann uncovered a gap between retail and resort. "Everything in retail I thought had been done but this had not. There was no destination luxury retail where hotels really matched up the retail experience with the five-star resort experience."

Working closely with property owners, Lee Ann and her partner Eric Lopez successfully create unique shopping experiences by designing inviting spaces reflective of the resorts and filling them with items from local designers to artisans from abroad.

"Even if you don't buy anything in our stores, you come into the environments that we've created and they're so welcoming and warm and well thought out, it just makes people happy." For more information, visit SeasideLuxe.com.